Settling Down

I was looking for a nearby gym to join in Morjim. I found one which was 2km away from our house. I would wake up in the morning and go to the gym walking. By the time I would reach the gym, my shoes would be already covered in red soil after walking on those reddish sidewalks. That was the only gym in Morjim and for that reason, it would always be crowded. Russian men would workout shirtless in the gym. People from that country were blessed with ace genetics and raw strength. No wonder Russia dominates powerlifting sport in the whole world. While the Russian girls in the gym would train for aesthetics in the tightest and shortest clothes possible, making the local guys difficult to concentrate on their exercise. It was a unique gym. I became friends with the gym owner in a few days. I asked him where could I get a bike on rent. Having a bike is a must in Goa if you are fond of travelling. Biker in me was eager to get one asap. He gave me a mobile number of a person would give me a good deal for the bike. After calling him I came to know he only rented scooty. I was fine with anything as long as it would make me fly. I became friends with that guy also.

One thing I noticed in Goa that it was very easy to become friends with locals. They were the most chill, easy-going and friendly people. I got the scooty and drove it back home with excitement. It was a scooty but still, I called it a bike. So driving a bike on the beautiful single-lane roads of Goa was a completely blissful experience. Every road would split into small lanes after every 50 meters. Those small curvy lanes would take you inside the village. Every house would be painted in bright colours like blue, yellow, orange... making it look unique from the other. Roads would be covered by coconut trees from both sides giving shade all day long. Early morning there would be smoke coming out of the house roofs as the kitchens had traditional mud stoves where woods would be burned. There would be a bunch of roosters crowing early in the morning. Experiencing all that while driving my bike in the morning would make my day.

I had got a client for fitness training in the first week only. She was a young English girl who was Madhu's client's daughter. She came from Madhu's referral. I would train her in the evening. In the day time, Madhu would teach me about therapies. I had a fitness background so I was learning fast. I would mix her therapies with a variety of stretches which I had learned in my training. She was happy to see that I was showing interest in learning. After looking at my enthusiasm Madhu decided to take chance with her clients and introduce me as her partner in giving therapies with her. It was a unique experience for the clients to get worked on by two therapists at the same time. Our Four Hand Treatment became popular in Morjim. I was learning this new skill and I was happy with everything happening in my life. So the days' schedule would be fixed. I would go to the gym in the morning, then come home and learn therapies from Madhu. In the afternoon give treatments and in the evening go for fitness coaching. Being on the beach for sunset was an everyday thing. Our house was just 10 min walking distance from the beach.

Morjim beach was the cleanest beach in Goa. As it would host the richest tourist, it was well maintained. There were beautiful shacks next to each other facing the beach. There would be tables and chairs laid outside in the open on the sand. Further close to the sea there would be beach beds where people would rest to enjoy the sunset along with their drinks. There was one big rocky place alongside the beach. Tourist would often climb that rock and sit there to enjoy the view from the top. That rock became our favourite place to sit.

Memories of walking on that beach still bring a smile on my face.